The Sony S-Series Walkman is very inexpensive and easy to use; it offers support for multiple audio codecs as well as subscription music and Amazon video; photos and videos look great on the big, bright screen; audio quality is superb and the rated battery life is impressive; the unit features external speakers and an alarm clock function; the FM tuner and voice recorder work excellently.

The Sony S-Series Walkman no longer offers noise cancellation or upgraded headphones; there's no podcast support, SenseMe Channels, or on-the-go playlists; getting video onto the device can be a hassle.

The Sony S-Series Walkman is a solid entry-level MP3 player thanks to its ultra-affordable price tag, easy-to-use design, excellent performance, and fair smattering of features--but those who are looking to upgrade from the previous generation will not be impressed.